Court’s landmark ruling draws 21-gun salute

Thursday’s landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the right to bear arms drew praise from area businessmen who favor firearms for hunters and self-protection.

Larry Binz

Thursday’s landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the right to bear arms drew praise from area businessmen who favor firearms for hunters and self-protection.

“The Second Amendment clearly states that if the government won’t protect the public, the people have the right to do so themselves,” Charlie Tappan of Helena-West Helena, Ark., said.

Tappan, plant manager for Blackhawk Warehousing, said the Supreme Court decision finally gave relief to the residents of Washington, D.C. – the nation’s capital – after a 34-year ban of handguns.

“For 34 years the citizens of Washington, D.C., could not carry a firearm or have one in their homes,” Tappan said. “That left them without protection in the event of attack.”

West Horner, general manager of West Horner Toyota-GMC in Helena-West Helena, said the tragedy from Sept. 11, 2001, that left more than 3,000 people dead in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, brought home to Americans the serious threat of foreign invasion.

“The world learned that American could be attacked,” Horner said. “Of course in the event of weapons of mass destruction, no firearms would stop the loss of lives. Those abroad knew they would be facing an armed nation.”

Horner hailed the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision, adding, “I am always concerned about what decisions that can be made by a judge at any level.”

Greg Hood of Clarksdale, Miss., owner of Southern Game Calls, called the court decision profound for law-abiding citizens.

“It’s extremely important that our basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution are protected,” Hood said.

Hood, who has spoken out in favor of the rights for firearms among his association with Ducks Unlimited and other game hunting entities, said had the court ruled the opposite direction it could have severely hampered the personal freedoms for sportsmen and for citizens to protect their lives and property.